St. Paul's Holiday Market: Antidote to Big Retail's Black Friday

This may likely become a tradition. The first ever  St. Paul's On the Green Holiday Market debuts Thursday evening, Dec. 5 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 8

Inside the Chittim-Howell House adjacent to the historic St. Paul's Church at 60 East Ave., co-chairs Ginny Green and Susan Leggitt put finishing touches on the room decorations on Monday afternoon. 

Alongside the duo, Leggitt's husband Scott Kuykendall, who is a painter like his wife, helped add the finishing touches to the decorative displays that will form the backdrop for the works of twelve local artisans. 

With their high ceilings, vintage molding and wood floors, the rooms in the 1849 Chittim-Howell House are the perfect setting for a holiday gift and craft market. 

"I'm so into this," said Leggitt. "When I was a little kid my mother and I used to go to all the church craft fairs and this is very meaningful to me."

Green, who was excited that Mayor Rilling and Alex Knopp are tentatively planning to visit the holiday market, has been planning the event with Leggitt since the beginning of the summer. The artisans and crafts people were researched beforehand and received invitations from the co-chairs.

Green, who manages the gift shop at St. Paul's Gifts on the Green, said that items from the shop will also be for sale at the holiday market. 

"We have Pat Atkin from Darien selling her beautiful ceramics," said Leggitt. We also have Ann Jayson of Rowayton with beautiful shell creations and sailor valentines. And Leslie Rottner of Darien will have her whimsical holiday decorations made from antique sheet music."

Green explained that proceeds from the market will go to the church, which she said recently needed a new $170,000 boiler, and to community projects. 

The idea for the market was conceived by Leggitt and Green. Leggitt, who joined the church a year ago with her husband Kuykendall, had previously been President of the Rowayton Arts Center and co-chaired their art sale for five years. Green, with her gift shop experience, said the pair just "clicked."

Leggitt and Kuykendall both have paintings for sale at the market. And whereas the main market benefits the church in general, 30% of proceeds from paintings go to Seabury Academy, the non-profit that funds the music program at the church. 

St. Paul's Holiday Market on the Green hours:
Thursday, Dec. 5: 5:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
Friday, Dec. 6: 1:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7: 10:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8: 10:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
St. Paul's on the Green, Chittim-Howell House is located at 60 East Ave inNorwalk. 

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